This morning (Monday) at 8:00, members of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) set up a picket line at the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) office in Williams Lake.
At this time, the CRD says picket lines have only been set up at this location and their offices in Quesnel and 100 Mile House have not been impacted.
On Thursday, (May 9) unionized Cariboo Regional District staff members rejected a proposed 3-year, 11 per cent wage increase, 5 per cent in 2023 and then 3 per cent in each of the next two years.
The BC General Employees Union said members at the CRD are on the picket line in Williams Lake today (May 13) to try and get a fair deal.
Treasurer of the BCGEU, Paul Finch said wages continue to be the sticking point and it’s also impacting recruitment and retention.
“Our members are short staffed, they’re overworked,they’re doing some high risk work in some areas, the Emergency Operations Centre has high risks for the community, they deal with fire and flood season.” Finch said, “And the issue is we need people who can look forward to stay and live in the Cariboo Region.”
Finch said they have seen some dramatic increases in inflation lately and they are simply trying to protect their members from future spikes.
“The union is asking for 12 percent over three years or the consumer price index, whichever is higher,” Finich said.
The CRD said strike action will not impact Fire Departments, their landfills and transfer stations, operations, maintenance, and emergency repairs of their 16 water and sewer systems.
The Regional District’s Emergency Operations Centre will still function in the event of an emergency and work will continue to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season and respond to current wildfire activity.
While picket lines have not been set up at any libraries, they were closed on May 9th will remain closed until further notice.
Building permits will be impacted by the picket lines in Williams Lake only but can be submitted digitally ([email protected]).
Building permit applications and supporting documents can be submitted and processed at CRD offices in 100 Mile House and Quesnel.
The CRD Unionized employees provide services to Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and other surrounding communities.
–Files by Pat Matthews, My Cariboo Now
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